scholarly journals Altitudinal Vascular Plant Richness and Climate Change in the Alpine Zone of the Lefka Ori, Crete

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
George Kazakis ◽  
Dany Ghosn ◽  
Ilektra Remoundou ◽  
Panagiotis Nyktas ◽  
Michael A. Talias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Species Loss ◽  
Total Species Richness

High mountain zones in the Mediterranean area are considered more vulnerable in comparison to lower altitudes zones. Lefka Ori massif, a global biodiversity hotspot on the island of Crete is part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) monitoring network. The paper examines species and vegetation changes with respect to climate and altitude over a seven-year period (2001–2008) at a range of spatial scales (10 m Summit Area Section-SAS, 5 m SAS, 1 m2) using the GLORIA protocol in a re-survey of four mountain summits (1664 m–2339 m). The absolute species loss between 2001–2008 was 4, among which were 2 endemics. At the scale of individual summits, the highest changes were recorded at the lower summits with absolute species loss 4 in both cases. Paired t-tests for the total species richness at 1 m2 between 2001–2008, showed no significant differences. No significant differences were found at the individual summit level neither at the 5 m SAS or the 10 m SAS. Time series analysis reveals that soil mean annual temperature is increasing at all summits. Linear regressions with the climatic variables show a positive effect on species richness at the 5 m and 10 m SAS as well as species changes at the 5 m SAS. In particular, June mean temperature has the highest predictive power for species changes at the 5 m SAS. Recorded changes in species richness point more towards fluctuations within a plant community’s normal range, although there seem to be more significant diversity changes in higher summits related to aspects. Our work provides additional evidence to assess the effects of climate change on plant diversity in Mediterranean mountains and particularly those of islands which remain understudied.

scholarly journals Responses of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of Two Tropical, High-Mountain Lakes to Climate Change and Deacidification

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Javier Alcocer ◽  
Luis A. Oseguera ◽  
Diana Ibarra-Morales ◽  
Elva Escobar ◽  
Lucero García-Cid
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Mountain Lakes ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
High Mountain Lakes ◽  
La Luna

High-mountain lakes are among the most comparable ecosystems globally and recognized sentinels of global change. The present study pursued to identify how the benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) communities of two tropical, high mountain lakes, El Sol and La Luna, Central Mexico, have been affected by global/regional environmental pressures. We compared the environmental characteristics and the BMI communities between 2000–2001 and 2017–2018. We identified three principal environmental changes (the air and water temperature increased, the lakes’ water level declined, and the pH augmented and became more variable), and four principal ecological changes in the BMI communities [a species richness reduction (7 to 4), a composition change, and a dominant species replacement all of them in Lake El Sol, a species richness increase (2 to 4) in Lake La Luna, and a drastic reduction in density (38% and 90%) and biomass (92%) in both lakes]. The air and water temperature increased 0.5 °C, and lakes water level declined 1.5 m, all suggesting an outcome of climate change. Contrarily to the expected acidification associated with acid precipitation, both lakes deacidified, and the annual pH fluctuation augmented. The causes of the deacidification and the deleterious impacts on the BMI communities remained to be identified.

Are regional ecosystems compatible with floristic heterogeneity? A case study from Toohey Forest, south-east Queensland, Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant W. Wardell-Johnson ◽  
Ben E. Lawson ◽  
Robert H. Coutts
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Vegetation Mapping ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Corymbia Citriodora ◽  
Mapping Scale

The recognition and effective portrayal of floristic heterogeneity is a complex issue for land classification. This study in Toohey Forest, south-east Queensland, examines the effects of mapping scale and environmental variables on a floristically heterogeneous area. Current Version 4.1 regional ecosystem mapping at 1: 1 00 000 scale maps Toohey Forest as a single regional ecosystem unit "12.11.5", described as an "open forest complex with Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. major on metamorphics ± interbedded volcanics". Plant taxa data from 50, 20 x 20 m sites comprising 247 native vascular plant taxa were collected, along with data for 17 environmental variables and 10 species richness categories. A priori site groupings of 1 :12 500 scale vegetation mapping and a geomorphic classifications of the area were examined using cluster analysis (UPGMA, Bray-Curtis Metric, β = –0.1) and ordination (SSH MDS). Biplots of several variables (shrub species richness, total species richness, per cent rock cover, CEC, carbon and phosphorus) were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the ordination axes derived from each of the two strata levels and the total taxa, for both geomorphological and vegetation mapping. Several variables (shrub, vine, woody and introduced species richness, and carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH and CEC) varied significantly (P < 0.05) across both geomorphic categories and 1:12 500 scale vegetation community mapping. The ongoing reduction in regional ecosystem mapping scale, centred on the use of fine-scale geomorphology mapping, is likely to improve the representation of floristic patterns in heterogeneous environments.

scholarly journals Changes in plant diversity in a water-limited and isolated high-mountain range (Sierra Nevada, Spain)

Alpine Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Lamprecht ◽  
Harald Pauli ◽  
Maria Rosa Fernández Calzado ◽  
Juan Lorite ◽  
Joaquín Molero Mesa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountain Range

AbstractClimate change impacts are of a particular concern in small mountain ranges, where cold-adapted plant species have their optimum zone in the upper bioclimatic belts. This is commonly the case in Mediterranean mountains, which often harbour high numbers of endemic species, enhancing the risk of biodiversity losses. This study deals with shifts in vascular plant diversity in the upper zones of the Sierra Nevada, Spain, in relation with climatic parameters during the past two decades. We used vegetation data from permanent plots of three surveys of two GLORIA study regions, spanning a period of 18 years (2001–2019); ERA5 temperature and precipitation data; and snow cover durations, derived from on-site soil temperature data. Relationships between diversity patterns and climate factors were analysed using GLMMs. Species richness showed a decline between 2001 and 2008, and increased thereafter. Species cover increased slightly but significantly, although not for endemic species. While endemics underwent cover losses proportional to non-endemics, more widespread shrub species increased. Precipitation tended to increase during the last decade, after a downward trend since 1960. Precipitation was positively related to species richness, colonisation events, and cover, and negatively to disappearance events. Longer snow cover duration and rising temperatures were also related to increasing species numbers, but not to cover changes. The rapid biotic responses of Mediterranean alpine plants indicate a tight synchronisation with climate fluctuations, especially with water availability. Thus, it rather confirms concerns about biodiversity losses, if projections of increasing temperature in combination with decreasing precipitation hold true.

scholarly journals Nitrogen deposition and climate change have increased vascular plant species richness and altered the composition of grazed subalpine grasslands

2017 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 1199-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Boutin ◽  
Emmanuel Corcket ◽  
Didier Alard ◽  
Luis Villar ◽  
Juan-José Jiménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Nitrogen Deposition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Vascular Plant Species ◽  
Subalpine Grasslands

scholarly journals Vascular plants affect properties and decomposition of moss-dominated peat, particularly at elevated temperatures

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 4797-4813
Author(s):  
Lilli Zeh ◽  
Marie Theresa Igel ◽  
Judith Schellekens ◽  
Juul Limpens ◽  
Luca Bragazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Pyrolysis Product ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Multiple Parameters ◽  
Vegetation Shift

Abstract. Peatlands, storing significant amounts of carbon, are extremely vulnerable to climate change. The effects of climate change are projected to lead to a vegetation shift from Sphagnum mosses to sedges and shrubs. Impacts on the present moss-dominated peat remain largely unknown. In this study, we used a multiproxy approach to investigate the influence of contrasting vascular plant types (sedges, shrubs) on peat chemistry and decomposition. Peat cores of 20 cm depth and plant material (Sphagnum spp., Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum) from two ombrotrophic peatlands in the Italian Alps with a mean annual temperature difference of 1.4 ∘C were analyzed. Peat cores were taken under adjacent shrub and sedge plants growing at the same height above the water table. We used carbon, nitrogen and their stable isotopes to assess general patterns in the degree of decomposition across sampling locations and depths. In addition, analytical pyrolysis was applied to disentangle effects of vascular plants (sedge, shrub) on chemical properties and decomposition of the moss-dominated peat. Pyrolysis data confirmed that Sphagnum moss dominated the present peat irrespective of depth. Nevertheless, vascular plants contributed to peat properties as revealed by, e.g., pyrolysis products of lignin. The degree of peat decomposition increased with depth as shown by, e.g., decreasing amounts of the pyrolysis product of sphagnum acid and increasing δ13C with depth. Multiple parameters also revealed a higher degree of decomposition of Sphagnum-dominated peat collected under sedges than under shrubs, particularly at the high temperature site. Surprisingly, temperature effects on peat decomposition were less pronounced than those of sedges. Our results imply that vascular plants affect the decomposition of the existing peat formed by Sphagnum, particularly at elevated temperature. These results suggest that changes in plant functional types may have a stronger impact on the soil carbon feedback in a warmer world than hitherto assumed.

Edge effects on nest predators in two forested landscapes

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 1943-1953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L Smith
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Edge Response ◽  
Nest Predators

Few studies have systematically examined edge effects on nest predators, although many invoke these processes as potential mechanisms for decreased nesting success of songbirds. Species richness and relative abundance of avian and mammalian nest predators were compared between forest edge and interior in two landscapes, Allegan State Game Area and Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC), in southwest Michigan. One avian predator, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm, 1822), was more abundant at edges than forest interior at FCTC; however, other predators did not demonstrate an edge response. Abundance of the brood parasite (Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783)) was greater at edges in FCTC. Overall abundance was higher at FCTC in both years; however, this could not be attributed to a greater extent of fragmentation. Total species richness for both landscapes did not differ between edge and interior. Remote-camera systems captured three predation events, two involving red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)) and one involving a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata (L., 1758)). Vegetation characteristics were similar between edge and interior sites, which suggests that vegetation structure did not influence edge response. The variability in response indicates a need to assess patterns of predator distributions through long-term studies at multiple spatial scales.

scholarly journals The Guadalfeo Monitoring Network (Sierra Nevada, Spain): 14 years of measurements to understand the complexity of snow dynamics in semiarid regions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
María J. Polo ◽  
Javier Herrero ◽  
Rafael Pimentel ◽  
María J. Pérez-Palazón
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Snow Cover Area ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
Semiarid Regions ◽  
Weather Stations

Abstract. This work presents the Guadalfeo Monitoring Network in Sierra Nevada (Spain), a snow monitoring network in the Guadalfeo Experimental Catchment, a semiarid area in southern Europe representative of snow packs with highly variable dynamics on both the annual and seasonal scales, and significant topographic gradients. The network includes weather stations that cover the high mountain area in the catchment and time-lapse cameras to capture the variability of the ablation phases on different spatial scales. The data sets consist of continuous meteorological high frequency records at five automatic weather stations located at different altitudes ranging from 1300 to 2600 m a.s.l. that include precipitation, air temperature, wind speed, air relative humidity, and the short- and long-wave components of the incoming radiation, dating from 2009 for the oldest station (2530 m a.s.l.) (https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.895236); additionally, daily data sets of fractional snow cover area and snow depth from the imagery from two time-lapse cameras are presented, with different scene area (30×30 m, and 2 km2, respectively) and spatial resolution, from 2009 (https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.871706). Some research applications of these datasets are also included to highlight the value of high resolution data sources to improve the understanding of snow processes and distribution in highly variable environments. The datasets are available from different open source sites and provide both the snow hydrology scientific community and other research fields, such as terrestrial ecology, riverine ecosystems or water quality in high mountains,with a valuable and high-potential information in snow-dominated areas in semiarid regions.

scholarly journals Climate Change Affects Vegetation Differently on Siliceous and Calcareous Summits of the European Alps

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Nicklas ◽  
Janette Walde ◽  
Sonja Wipf ◽  
Andrea Lamprecht ◽  
Martin Mallaun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Elevation Gradients ◽  
Over Time

The alpine life zone is expected to undergo major changes with ongoing climate change. While an increase of plant species richness on mountain summits has generally been found, competitive displacement may result in the long term. Here, we explore how species richness and surface cover types (vascular plants, litter, bare ground, scree and rock) changed over time on different bedrocks on summits of the European Alps. We focus on how species richness and turnover (new and lost species) depended on the density of existing vegetation, namely vascular plant cover. We analyzed permanent plots (1 m × 1 m) in each cardinal direction on 24 summits (24 × 4 × 4), with always four summits distributed along elevation gradients in each of six regions (three siliceous, three calcareous) across the European Alps. Mean summer temperatures derived from downscaled climate data increased synchronously over the past 30 years in all six regions. During the investigated 14 years, vascular plant cover decreased on siliceous bedrock, coupled with an increase in litter, and it marginally increased on higher calcareous summits. Species richness showed a unimodal relationship with vascular plant cover. Richness increased over time on siliceous bedrock but slightly decreased on calcareous bedrock due to losses in plots with high plant cover. Our analyses suggest contrasting and complex processes on siliceous versus calcareous summits in the European Alps. The unimodal richness-cover relationship and species losses at high plant cover suggest competition as a driver for vegetation change on alpine summits.

scholarly journals Floodplain succession pattern along Budhi-Rapti River bank, Chitwan, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 12-26
Author(s):  
Dhiraj Chhetri Kunwar ◽  
Chitra Bahadur Baniya
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
Plant Succession ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Ageratum Conyzoides ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Time Substitution

 Riverine floodplain is one of the most productive lowland ecosystems in Nepal. However, floodplain ecology is less understood due to its fluctuation. Budhi-Rapti River in Chitwan, central Nepal formed a floodplain along the Khorsor zone of Barandabhar corridor. This study was carried out to understand the floodplain ecosystem development after plant succession. The space for time substitution method of vegetation sampling was adopted in order to sample the floodplain created at different chronosequence. The floodplain that lies perpendicular to and 200 m away from the Budhi-Rapti river was sampled. Systematic sampling was done along two parallel transects, almost 200 m apart from each other. Sampling along the transect started right after 200 m away from the Budhi-River bank. Initial position of these transects towards Budhi-Rapti river was believed to be the youngest floodplain, which slowly getting older after passing away from the river. Abundance of vascular plant species was recorded in sample plots of 20 × 20 m each subdivided equally into 4 subplots (each of 100 m2). Along each transect, vegetation data was recorded from a series of 20 plots, placed 50 m apart from each other. Successional scores were calculated and utilized as environmental variables after applying non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) through metaMDS. Total and life form (herbs, shrubs and trees) richness patterns were calculated. Altogether, 158 species of vascular plants under 60 families and 136 genera were recorded. Gramineae was the richest family followed by Leguminosae, Asteraceae and Cyperaceae. Total species richness showed significant negative correlation with the NMDS1 and NMDS2, which justified a convergent pattern of succession. Herb, orchid and shrub species richness also showed significant declining pattern with NMDS1. Persicaria barbata, Parthenium hysterophorus, Ageratum conyzoides and Typha angustifolia were early succession indicator species; whereas Albizia lucidior, Miliusa velutina, Ficus hispida, Bauhinia purpurea and Brassaiopsis glomerulata were the late succession tree species. This study agreed with the convergent model of succession.Botanica Orientalis – Journal of Plant Science (2017) 11: 12–26

scholarly journals Climate Change and its Impact on Tourism Based Livelihood in High Mountain of Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 11-23
Author(s):  
Thakur Devkota
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Mountain Region ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
The Impact

The climate change is the major issue of the development planning in recent world. This paper focuses on the people’s understanding and experience about the climate change, its impact on tourism dependent livelihoods of the mountain community. Participatory survey design, interview, community consultation, FGD, were conducted in the field. The literature review and hydrological and meteorological data from secondary source were collected for analysis. The people of research area feel that the fluctuation of climatic variables and extremes is occurring now and they are familiar with that change in climatic variables and associated disaster. Their experience on the warming and precipitation coincides with authorized meteorological data which depicts that the mean annual temperature is increasing and average annual precipitation is decreasing. People from High mountain region said that the impact of climate change in tourism based livelihood was experienced. All types of livelihood assets are affected by climate change in mountain region. The change in frequency and intensity of climatic variables and climate change induced hazards was observed and that retard in tourism business and tourism activities in local area.

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